Oil & gas operators increase number of evacuated platforms due to Harvey

Offshore oil and gas operators have once again increased the number of evacuated platforms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico due to tropical storm Harvey. 

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), based on offshore operator reports submitted as of 11:30 CDT Tuesday, personnel have been evacuated from a total of 102 production platforms, 13.84 percent of the 737 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

This means that, following a drop of evacuated platforms from 105 to 98 from Sunday to Monday, the number has now increased from 98 to 102.

Personnel have been evacuated from five non-dynamically positioned rigs, which is 50 percent of the 10 rigs of this type currently operating in the Gulf. No DP rigs have moved off location out of the storm’s path as a precaution. There are 21 DP rigs currently operating in the Gulf.

From operator reports, it is estimated that approximately 18.26 percent of the current oil production of 1,750,000 barrels of oil per day in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in, which equates to 319,523 barrels of oil per day. It is also estimated that approximately 19.1 percent of the natural gas production of 3,220 million cubic feet per day, or 615.09 million cubic feet per day in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in.

On Tuesday, oil majors Shell made a contribution of $1 million to the Hurricane Harvey disaster relief fund at the American Red Cross. In addition, ExxonMobil increased its Harvey relief support from $500,000 to $1 million.

Darren W. Woods, ExxonMobil chairman and chief executive officer, said: “We will continue to assess needs and to assist government authorities and disaster relief agencies in providing critical goods and services to those in need.”

BP continues to monitor the effects of Harvey.

Anadarko said that, although its office in The Woodlands was not damaged, due to the widespread flooding and road conditions throughout Houston, it will remain closed until further notice.

Apache Corp. said that, due to Hurricane Harvey, Apache’s Houston offices will be closed until Tuesday, September 5.

According to a Wednesday update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), parts of southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana are still being deluged with heavy rains. Flash flood emergencies are in effect for areas near Beaumont and Port Arthur Texas.

Catastrophic and life-threatening flooding continues in southeastern Texas and portions of southwestern Louisiana.

Offshore Energy Today Staff